Machine for assembling cartons



May 29, 5 BE G IN 1,960,804

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING CARTONS Filed Oct. 5, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 -49 I 47 FL 49 INVENTOR. W @7124 ATTORNEYS y 1934- s. BERGSTEIN MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING CARTONS Filed Oct. 6, 1952 e Sheets-Sheet 2 INV NTOR.

ATTORNEYS y 9 1934- s. BERGSTEIN ,804

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING CARTONS Filed Oct. 3, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYJ.

May 29, 1934. 5 BERG$TE|N 1,960,804

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING CARTONS Filed Oct. 5, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS,

May 29, 1934.

S. BERGSTEIN MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING CARTONS Filed Oct. 3, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. K

ATTORNEYS Patented May 29, 1934 PATENT OFFICE .UNlTED STATES 11 Claims.

My invention relates to a machine for use in assembling cartons, particularly compartment cartons which are held together by'means of tabs locked in slots in walls of the carton, and which are adapted to receive eggs, electric light globes and other fragile articles. My machine is particularly adapted for use in assembling cartons such as are described in my co-pending application Serial No. 635,970, filed October "3, 1932.

It is an object of my invention to provide a machine which will automatically insert a central longitudinal partition and cause a multiple of tabs to latch in a multiple of slots in the bottom wall of the box, and thereby secure the partition in place within the box.

A further object of my invention is to provide a machine which will automatically insert and latch in place a central longitudinal partition simultaneously with the positioning and latching of lateral partitions within the box.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanism for inserting longitudinal partitions in cartons without subjecting the partition to any strain while it is being inserted in its proper position within the carton.

These and other objects will be more specifically pointed out in the specifications and the drawings forming part of these specific specifications.

30 In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine. Figure 2 is a front elevation of the machine. Figure 3 is a left side elevation of the machine.

Figure 4 is a right side elevation of the machine.

Figure 5 is a plan view in section, taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a section in elevation taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a perspective of the box before the insertion of a comb.

Figure 8 is a perspective of the comb.

Figure 9 is a perspective of the box after insertion of the comb.

Figure 10 is a detail in perspective of the combholding clamp.

The machine, as illustrated, has a main base casting 1 supported on legs 2. Rigidly mounted on the base casting are brackets 3 which in turn are rigidly attached to and support a vertically positioned front plate l. The top 5 of this plate widens out to a slab-like portion 5a and has a slot 6 for a comb or partition wall holder 7a (to be described) extending through it.

The top 5a also has slots '7 which have plates 8 fixed therein. The plates are arranged in rows Cir 9 and 9a, and are spaced definite distances apart, depending on the size and shape of the cut-out compartment forming walls of the carton. These plates are the means for directing the lateral partitions of the carton into the proper vertical or upright position.

Slidably mounted on the, top surface 5b there is a pusher plate 10 of angular formation. The vertical face of this plate has a slot 11 which provides clearance for the comb or partition wall holder. The pusher plate is guided in ways 12 on the top of the front plate. The cartons are placed upside down in the machine and the plates 8 press upwardly against the compartment forming walls of the carton, causing these walls I to be bent up at an angle with respect to the walls of the carton from which they are partially cut out. As thepusher plate moves it pushes a carton to the left, and the plates 8 hold the partitions so that the partitions are bent more 7'5 and more with the movement of the carton, until they approach a right angle, in which position the tabs at the ends of the partition Walls snap into position in the slots in the bottom wall of the carton. Ribs 13 and 13a are provided on the rear surface of the pusher plate and have rigidly mounted therein pins 14 and 14a.

Rigidly attached to the underside 15 of the top 5 there is a bracket 16 having a boss 16a. This boss has a hole 161) for securing a stud 17 there- 35 in. A bell crank 18 is rotatably mounted onthe stud 17. The crank has anarm 19 terminating in a boss 19a in which pins 20 are fixedly mounted. Springs '21 and 21a are attached at one end to each pin 20, and the other ends of the springs are attached to the pins 14 in the ribs of the pusher plate. This method of connecting the pusher plate to the bell crank provides a flexible connection. The pins 20 contact with the ribs on the pusher plate and move it to the left; and on the return rotation of the bell crank the springs pull the pusher plate back to starting position.

Fixed in the other arm 22 of the bell crank there is a stud 2211 which has a spherical end 22b rotatably retained in a socket 220 ofa coupling 23. This coupling has a tapped hole 24 in which a threaded end 25 of a connecting rod 25a is screwed. The other end 25b of the rod is threaded and screwed into a tapped hole 26 in another coupling 26a. This coupling has a socket for another ball 2'7 which is integral with astud 28. This stud is fixedly mounted in a boss 28:; which forms part of a lever 28b pivotally mounted on another stud 29. The stud 29 is fixed in a bracket 29a which extends downwardly from the front plate. A roller 30 is rotatably mounted on the stud 28 and this roller is held in contact with a cam 31 by means of a spring which is attached to an extension 28c of the lever 28b. The other end of this spring is attached to a stud which is fixed on the base of the machine. The above described mechanism is for folding down and locking the compartment forming walls in the bottom wall of the box.

Rigidly attached to the top there are brackets 34 extending rearwardly. The brackets 34 have bearing holes 34a. A shaft 34b is rotatably mounted in the brackets 34. Fixed on the shaft there are curved arms 35 and 35a which support holddown and pressure plates 36 and 36a. These plates are spaced apart from each other in order to provide clearance for the comb holder during the interval when a comb is being inserted. These hold-down plates rotate over into contact with the bottom of each carton which is assembled.

Fixed on the end of the shaft 34b there is a spur gear 3'7 which is in mesh with a gear sector 37a. The gear sector is rotatably mounted on a stud 37b which is fixed in the bracket 34. Extending from the gear sector is an arm 38 in which a stud 38a is fixed. Rotatably connected to thisstud there is a link 39 which is adiustably connected to an extension 39a of the link. The extension is rotatably mounted on a stud 40 which is fixedly mounted in a lever 41. The lever 41 is rotatably mounted on another stud 41a which is fixed in a bearing bracket 42 integral with the front plate of the machine. Approximately in the center of the lever there is fixed a stud upon which is rotatably mounted a roller 43a. This roller is held in contact with the surface 44 of a cam 45 by means of a spring 46 which has one end attached to the lever 41 and its other end fixed to the base of the machine. The above described mechanism provides the means for rotating the hold-down plates into contact with the bottoms of the cartons.

Extending to the rear of the machinethere are brackets 47 which support a hopper 47a. The hopper abuts against the rear face 48 of the front plate. Slidably mounted on the bottom 47b of the hopper is an angle plate 49 having a handle 4912 which pushes and holds the combs in proper position to be received by a feeding ram. Attached to the bottom of the angle plate there is a cable 49b. The cable slides in a groove 490 in the bottom of the hopper. A key 50 fixed to the bottom of the angle plate also slides in the groove and guides the angle plate while it is advancing towards the front plate.

The cable passes around a sheaved wheel 51a which is rotatably mounted in a bracket 51b. The bracket is fixed to the bottom of the hopper. From thelast sheaved wheel the cable passes through another sheaved wheel 51c rotatably mounted on abracket which is fixed in a suspended weight 52. After passing through the sheaved I wheel on the weight the cable is fixed to the underside of the hopper. This mechanism insures placing a comb proper position for the next upward movement of the feeding ram.

On the rear surface of thefront plate there is a stop ledge 53 formed by a depression 53a. The comb holder 7a abuts against the ledge to limit its downward movement when it is not in motion. The comb holder comprises two pieces of flat spring material 54a and 54b with spacers 54c and 54d to hold them apart and permita comb and the feeding ram to slide between cient depth so that the ram will not contact with its edge. The comb holder is not moved until the ram has moved the comb into proper position in the comb holder.

Depending from the comb holder on each side there are keys 54c and 54). The keys are slidably mounted in T slots 55 and 55a provided in a plate 56. The plate 56 is secured to the rear of the front plate. Fixed to the keys are the uncoiled extensions 57 and 57a of springs 57b and 570. The other ends of these springs are secured to the front plate by means of screws, and these springs pull downward on the comb holder at all times. The comb holder is moved upward by a ram when the bottom of the keys come into contact with a bar on the ram.

The feeding ram 58 is a fiat plate preferably slightly thinner than the thickness of the comb or partition forming member. The ram is so positioned that it will slide flatwise along the rear surface 48 of the front plate in a vertical direction. Rigidly attached to the ram there is a bar 59a which extends beyond the sides of the front plate and is slidably mounted in slots 59b provided on the machine. This bar also provides means for moving the comb holder upwardly. The outer ends 60 and 60a of the bar are turned and rotatably mounted in bosses 61 and 61a on turnbuckles 61b and 610, The lower ends 61d and 61a of the turnbuckles have bosses 62 and 62a which are rotatably mounted on studs 62b and 620. The studs 62b and 620 are fixed in the cams 31 and 45. These cams move the ram and comb holder upwardly.

The cams are fixed on a shaft 62 which is rotatably mounted in bearings fixed on the machine. Fixedly mounted on the shaft is the driven half of a sliding tooth clutch 63. A clutch tooth 63a is slidably mounted with relation to the shaft for engagement with a slot 63b on the hub of a gear 64. The tooth engages in the slot by means of spring pressure and is disengaged from the slot by a wedge 65. One end 65a of the wedge is slidably mounted in a groove 65b on the driven half of the clutch. This wedge is pivotally mounted on a pin 66 which is fixed in a bracket 6'7. The bracket is fixed to the base of the machine. Extending from the pivot of the wedge there is an arm 67a which is attached to a rod 67b connecting to a' prime mover such as a foot treadle 670. When the foot treadle is depressed, the wedge will be rotated out of the groove and allow the tooth of the clutch to slide to the left and engage in the slot\on the gear. The shaft will start to rotate and the wedge will then fall back and enter the groove and be in position to disengage the tooth from the slot when a complete revolution has been made.

The driving half 68 of the clutch is integral with the gear 64 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 62. The gear 64 meshes with and is driven by another gear 685 which is fixedly mounted on a shaft extending from a reduction gear unit 69. The reduction gear unit is coupled to and driven by a motor '70. The motor and the reduction unit are both secured to the base of the machine.

Fixed to the ends 60 and 60a of the bar 5911 there are levers '11 and 71a. In these levers there are holes '12 and 72a for connecting springs 73 and 73a. The other ends 78b and 730 of the springs are' attached to extensions 74 and 74a on the turnbuckles. These springs tend to rotate the bar and hold the ram flat against the rear surface of the front plate.

Although my machine will and can be used on other types of cartons, I have, for the purpose of description, illustrated a carton as shown in Figure 7. This carton, prior to the assembling operation,consists of a lid 75a and tubelike portion 75. The upper part of the tube-like portion will be cut and scored to the contours indicated at 75c and arranged to be bent inwardly along the score lines 75d. The portions 756 form lateral partitions when they are positioned vertically with respect to the bottom 75) of the box. Slots 76 are for engagement in corresponding slots on a comb or longitudinal compartment wall. On the bottoms of these partitions there are depending tabs 75b for engagement in slots 77a in the bottom of the box.

On the bottom of the box there is also a row of openings or slots 78 with latch pieces 78a in them. These last openings are perpendicular to the slots 77a and receive and position the comb. The front edges of these latch pieces bear against the part of the comb extending through the open ings and prevent thecomb from being easily withdrawn from the carton.

The comb consists of a fiat piece of carton stock 79 having slots 79a and tapered sections 795. The ends of these tapered sections terminate in mushroom-like heads 79c forming hook-like ends 79d.

A stock of combs are placed in the hopper with the mushroom-like ends extending upwardly. The first comb in the stack will be fiat against the rear surface of the front plate. The angle plate is then moved into' contact with the last comb in the stack and the weight will apply pressure to the stack to hold the combs in position.

The operator presses a carton upside down on the plates and, as stated, this causes the partitions to be bent upwardly. When the box is in position on the plates, the operator steps on the foot treadle which disengages the wedge from the groove and allows the clutch tooth to engage in the slot on the gear. When the clutch is engaged the cams will be rotated and they in turn -willmove all of the component parts in proper sequence. The hold-down plates will come down onto the top of the box, but will not exert any pressure on it so as to leave the box free to be moved to the left by the pusher plate. At the same time, the angle pusher plate will move towards the left and cause the tabs on the partitions to snap into their respective slots. While the foregoing is progressing the ram will come into contact with a comb and move it up between the comb holder. After the ram has moved upwardly a certain distance, it will engage the keys of the comb holder and start it moving upwardly and continue to do so until the comb has been completely inserted in the carton. At the instant the comb has reached the limit of its upward stroke the angle plate will have reached the limit of its movement to the left, and then the hold-down plates will apply additional pressure on the bottom of the box to insure that all tabs are properly inserted in their respective slots. After applying the pressure to the box, all of the parts will move back to the starting position for the next assembly of another box.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A machine for mechanically setting up a carton of the character specified, comprising means for folding compartment-forming portions of the carton, and means for subsequently inserting an independent lateral compartmentforming member to hold the folded compartmentforming portions in position, said first-noted means comprising means for initially folding down said compartment-forming portions and for holding same during the movement of the carton.

2. A machine for mechanically setting up a carton of the character specified, comprising means for folding compartment-forming portions of the carton, and means for subsequently inserting an independent lateral compartment-forming memher to hold the folded compartment-forming portions in position, said last-mentioned means comprising means for pressing said carton against said compartment-forming member after the insertion.

3. A machine for mechanically setting up a carton of the character specified, comprising means for folding compartment-forming portions of the carton, and means for subsequently inserting an independent lateral compartment-forming member to hold the folded compartmentforming portions in position, said first-noted means comprising means for initially folding down said compartment-forming portions and for holding same during the movement of the carton, and said last-mentioned means comprising means for pressing said carton against said compartmentforming member after the insertion.

, 4. A carton setting up machine comprising means for receiving a partially set up compartment carton, said means having a series of members adapted to bend portions of said carton relative to a wall thereof from which said portions are cut-out, and which portions subsequently form compartment walls, means for moving said carton relative to said series of members to com plete the bending of said compartment portions whereby said compartments are formed.

5. A carton setting up machine comprising means for receiving a partially set up compartment carton, said means having a series of members adapted to bend portions of said carton relative to a wall thereof from which said portions are cut-out, and which portions subsequently form compartment walls, means for moving said carton relative to said series of members to complete the bending of said compartment portions whereby said compartments are formed, and means for I exerting slight pressure against said carton during the movement thereof.

6. A carton setting up machine comprising means for receiving a partially set up compartment carton, said means having a series of members adapted to bend portions of said carton relative to a wall thereof from which said portions are cut-out, and which portions subsequently form compartment wall, means for moving said carton relative to said series of members to complete the bending of said compartment portions whereby said compartments are formed, and means for inserting an independent divisional wall-forming member in said carton after the compartments are formed.

7. A carton setting up machine comprising means for receiving a partially set up compartment carton, said means having a series of members adapted to bend portions of said carton relative to a wall thereof from which said portions are cut-out, and which portions subsequently form compartment walls, means for moving said carton relative to said series of members to complete the bending of said compartment portions whereby said compartments are formed, means for inserting an independent divisional wallforming member in said carton after the compartments are formed, and means for exerting increased pressure against said carton subsequent to the insertion of said divisional wallforming member. a

8. A carton setting up machine for cartons having compartments and a divisional wall for assisting in maintaining said compartments in set up position, comprising a support for a plurality of divisional wall members, means for feeding said members in sequence toward partially assembled cartons, means for guiding said mam.-

bers into position in said cartons, and means for exerting pressure against said cartons after said divisional wall members are within said cartons to insure their frictional locking therein.

9. A machine for setting up cartons of the character specified, comprising means for receiving a partially set up carton, means for folding compartment wall-forming portions into compartment-forming position, and means for inserting independent wall-forming members in position within said cartons to reinforce and retain said compartment-forming portions in position.

10. A carton setting up machine comprising means for receiving a partially set up compartment carton, said means having a series of members adaptedto bend portions of said carton relative to a wall thereof from which said portions are cut-out, and which portions subsequently form compartment walls, means for moving saidcarton relative to said series of members to complete the bending of said compartment portions whereby said compartments are formed, means for exerting slight pressure against said carton during the movement thereof, and means for inserting an independent divisional wall-forming member in said carton after the compartments are formed.

11. A carton setting up machine comprising means for receiving a partially set up compartment carton, said means having a series of members adapted to bend portions of said carton relative to a wall thereof from which said portions are cut-out, and which portions subsequently form compartment walls, means for moving said carton relative to said series of members to complete the bending of said compartment portions whereby said compartments are formed, means for exerting slight pressure against said carton during the movement thereof, means for inserting an independent divisional wall-forming member in said carton after the compartments are formed, and means for exerting increased pressure against said carton subsequent to the insertion of said divisional wallforming member.

l SAMUEL BERGSTEIN. 

